By the end of his record-breaking rookie season, Malik Nabers practically had highlight-starved Giants fans chanting “One. More. Catch.” And begging him to come back onto the field.
The true encore performance begins Tuesday, when the Giants report for training camp and all eyes return to a burgeoning summer tradition of seeing what circus catches Nabers can make on the practice field. Assuming he is healthy, that is.
After recording a franchise record 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games while adjusting to four quarterbacks last season, the individual mission for Nabers in Year 2 is clear: Join Justin Jefferson (Vikings), Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals), CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys) and Tyreek Hill (Dolphins) in the rarefied air of receivers, separating from a still-impressive next tier with Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions), A.J. Brown (Eagles), Garrett Wilson (Jets) and others.
New York Giants Malik Nabers is all smiles as he sits on celebrity row during the third quarter of a Knicks-Pistons game. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostHow reasonable is that expectation? How often do elite receivers avoid the so-called “sophomore slump” the way that Nabers did at LSU, when his yardage climbed from 417 to 1,017 to 1,569 over three seasons?
